SOLVED - Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

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KIMW
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SOLVED - Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

Some windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible.

For example.
When I click on: "Manage the drivers for your devices"
First I should have a window asking me my password BUT it does NOT show up. It's there but it's invisible. I know about it because I can't do anything else at that point. Then if I type my password, guessing the window is there (but not seeing it), then the window "Driver Manager" appears. BUT strangely enough it says: "Drivers cannot be installed. Please connect to the Internet or insert the Linux Mint installation DVD."
Screenshot_20190119_170913.png
When I connect to the Internet, it download lot of stuff (updating the cache), and shows this:
Screenshot_20190119_171231.png
Each time I launch the "Driver Manager" window the same thing happened. it says: Drivers cannot be installed... then it updates the cache again...

I mentioned this example but there are more examples where windows layout does NOT show up, but are there. So far only with Firefox and Thunderbird. Please don't suggest anything concerning Firefox or Thunderbird because I've tried everything in another post, like disabled add-ons, update, uninstall, reinstall, etc... Also I have tried everything from here Toolbar or windows layout not working, but nothing helped.

I've chosen the "Driver Manager" window as the main example after having read this: No Menu Bar, Windows not visible, I think there might be a problem with my driver.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by buteman »

Have you tried uninstalling driver manager and re-installing it?
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

buteman wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 7:02 pm Have you tried uninstalling driver manager and re-installing it?
Hi buteman, thanks for your help.
No because I don't know what to run exactly to uninstall it and I don't know from where I can download the driver for installation...
Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Cinnamon 5.2.7
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by smurphos »

Do these issues still stem from your last thread?

Sorry I missed you reply to my question in that one about Python version.
KIMW wrote: Thu Dec 27, 2018 2:47 pm Thanks smurphos for your help.

I got:
Python 2.7.12
Python 3.5.2
I haven't got an 18.x install nearby to check but I'm pretty sure the default python3 for 18.x should be 3.5.1. A mismatch could explain your issue.

Can you report back output the of apt policy python3
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

smurphos wrote: Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:58 am Can you report back output the of apt policy python3
Hi smurphos,
Yes, I have theses issues since my last thread about a month ago.

python3:
Installed: 3.5.1-3
Candidate: 3.5.1-3
Version table:
*** 3.5.1-3 500
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Cinnamon 5.2.7
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by smurphos »

Ok it's not a python version issue - I've just fired up a 18.3 VM and that reports the same as you,

Code: Select all

steve@steve-VirtualBox ~ $ python3 --version
Python 3.5.2
steve@steve-VirtualBox ~ $ apt policy python3
python3:
  Installed: 3.5.1-3
  Candidate: 3.5.1-3
  Version table:
 *** 3.5.1-3 500
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
Try launching driver manager via a terminal driver-manager - is there any error message with the invisible password dialog?

Also report your full inxi -Fxz output so we can see what you are using.

I suspect this is some sort of GTK2 issue as I think all the things you having trouble seeing are GTK2 apps / dialogs if your signature is correct for your Mint version/edition. Not sure if the old firefox / thunderbird versions you are using were GTK2 but possibly.

Another thing to try going back to your old thread in Firefox is to run that from the terminal with command firefox. Then monitor the terminal window for any messages produced when you try and show the settings pane that was causing you issues.
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

You are probably right concerning GTK thing.
Because when I ran:

Code: Select all

driver-manager
I got:
gksu:11635): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "adwaita",
Gtk-Message: (for origin information, set GTK_DEBUG): failed to retrieve property `gtk-primary-button-warps-slider' of type `gboolean' from rc file value "((GString*) 0x909f60)" of type `gboolean'

(gksu:11635): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "adwaita",


---

Code: Select all

inxi -Fxz
produced:

Code: Select all

System:    Host: E7470 Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: KDE Plasma 5.8.9 (Qt 5.6.1) Distro: Linux Mint 18.1 Serena
Machine:   System: Dell (portable) product: Latitude E7470
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6HHJ v: A00 Bios: Dell v: 1.17.5 date: 07/11/2017
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i7-6600U (-HT-MCP-) cache: 4096 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 11233
           clock speeds: max: 3400 MHz 1: 499 MHz 2: 499 MHz 3: 508 MHz 4: 513 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Sky Lake Integrated Graphics bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 520 (Skylake GT2)
           GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 18.0.5 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1f.3
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-53-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel Ethernet Connection I219-LM
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k bus-ID: 00:1f.6
           IF: enp0s31f6 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel Wireless 8260 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 01:00.0
           IF: wlp1s0 state: up mac: <filter>
           Card-3: Intel Device 093c bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: N/A state: N/A speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: N/A
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 512.1GB (80.0% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: SanDisk_X400_M.2 size: 512.1GB temp: 47C
Partition: ID-1: / size: 416G used: 340G (86%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda7
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 17.00GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda8
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 46.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 231 Uptime: 2 days Memory: 3457.9/15866.7MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35
---
Not sure if the old firefox / thunderbird versions you are using were GTK2 but possibly.
Firefox is an old version but Thunderbird is the latest...
---
[...] from the terminal with command firefox. Then monitor the terminal window for any messages
It does not produce any thing when I click on the Menu (settings) pane. But they are lots of stuff written after: console.error. I don't know if those can be of any help...
Last edited by Moem on Wed Jan 23, 2019 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Swapped the [c] tags out for [code] tags; the code tags retain some formatting that makes your output easier to read.
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by smurphos »

On a hunch tryapt install mint-meta-kde gnome-themes-standard

Also whats' the output of apt list --upgradeable?


Just a notes on your inxi output- I don't know if they are related to your issue or not but might be.

Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic is missing 26 months of bug fixes and security updates. The current 4.4 kernel is 4.4.0-141.

Also support for your Skylake processor and integrated graphics was pretty immature in kernel 4.4. I'd suggest giving the latest 4.15 kernel (available in your update manager via view > linux kernels a try sometime. If it doesn't work well you can always boot back to 4.4 via the grub menu.
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

I did install mint-meta-kde gnome-themes-standard
But it did not help with my problem.
---
Now when I execute: driver-manager
I get:

Code: Select all

Gtk-Message: (for origin information, set GTK_DEBUG): failed to retrieve property `gtk-primary-button-warps-slider' of type `gboolean' from rc file value "((GString*) 0xad0c00)" of type `gboolean'
(I am not sure if it was fully shown in my previous message, but) before it was:

Code: Select all

gksu:11635): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "adwaita",
Gtk-Message: (for origin information, set GTK_DEBUG): failed to retrieve property `gtk-primary-button-warps-slider' of type `gboolean' from rc file value "((GString*) 0x909f60)" of type `gboolean'

(gksu:11635): Gtk-WARNING **: Unable to locate theme engine in module_path: "adwaita",
As you can see it's different, something happened.
---
apt list --upgradeable

Generates:

Code: Select all

Listing... Done                                                                               
adobe-flashplugin/xenial 1:20190108.1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1 amd64 [upgradable from: 1:20181205.1-0ubuntu0.16.04.1]                                                                               
chromium-codecs-ffmpeg-extra/xenial-updates,xenial-security 71.0.3578.98-0ubuntu0.16.04.1 amd64 [upgradable from: 71.0.3578.80-0ubuntu0.16.04.1]
cups/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-bsd/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-client/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-common/xenial-updates,xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 all [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-core-drivers/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-daemon/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-ppdc/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
cups-server-common/xenial-updates,xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 all [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
grub-common/xenial-updates 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.20 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.18]
grub-pc/xenial-updates 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.20 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.18]
grub-pc-bin/xenial-updates 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.20 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.18]
grub2-common/xenial-updates 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.20 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.18]
libcups2/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 i386 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
libcupscgi1/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
libcupsimage2/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 i386 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
libcupsmime1/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
libcupsppdc1/xenial-updates 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.7 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.1.3-4ubuntu0.6]
liblouis-data/xenial-updates,xenial-updates,xenial-security,xenial-security 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.4 all [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.3]
liblouis9/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.4 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.3]
libpam-systemd/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.4]
libsystemd0/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.4]
libudev-dev/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.10]
libudev1/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.10]
libwireshark-data/xenial-updates,xenial-updates,xenial-security,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 all [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
libwireshark11/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
libwiretap8/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
libwscodecs2/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
libwsutil9/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
libxatracker2/xenial-updates 18.0.5-0ubuntu0~16.04.1 amd64 [upgradable from: 17.2.8-0ubuntu0~16.04.1]
linux-firmware/xenial-updates,xenial-updates,xenial-security,xenial-security 1.157.21 all [upgradable from: 1.157.20]
linux-libc-dev/xenial-updates,xenial-security 4.4.0-141.167 amd64 [upgradable from: 4.4.0-133.159]
python3-louis/xenial-updates,xenial-updates,xenial-security,xenial-security 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.4 all [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2ubuntu0.3]
systemd/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.4]
systemd-sysv/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.4]
udev/xenial-updates,xenial-security 229-4ubuntu21.15 amd64 [upgradable from: 229-4ubuntu21.10]
wireshark/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
wireshark-common/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
wireshark-gtk/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
wireshark-qt/xenial-updates,xenial-security 2.6.5-1~ubuntu16.04.0 amd64 [upgradable from: 2.6.4-2~ubuntu16.04.0]
xserver-common/xenial-updates,xenial-updates 2:1.18.4-0ubuntu0.8 all [upgradable from: 2:1.18.4-0ubuntu0.7]
xserver-xorg-core/xenial-updates 2:1.18.4-0ubuntu0.8 amd64 [upgradable from: 2:1.18.4-0ubuntu0.7]
There are a few things I consciously haven't updated (Chromium browser, Wireshark,etc) because at the moment I am on a 3G connection.
---
I've updated my Kernel to 4.4.0-141 (my touchpad is very sensitive now). Thank you.
When I'll have a WiFi connection I'll try later on the latest 4.15 kernel...
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by smurphos »

KIMW wrote: Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:09 am I did install mint-meta-kde gnome-themes-standard
But it did not help with my problem.
---
Now when I execute: driver-manager
I get:

Code: Select all

Gtk-Message: (for origin information, set GTK_DEBUG): failed to retrieve property `gtk-primary-button-warps-slider' of type `gboolean' from rc file value "((GString*) 0xad0c00)" of type `gboolean'
---
I've updated my Kernel to 4.4.0-141 (my touchpad is very sensitive now). Thank you.
When I'll have a WiFi connection I'll try later on the latest 4.15 kernel...
Based on some googling I think that error message is due to a setting KDE puts in by default in ~/.gtkrc-2.0. Do you have that file? However none of the search results seem to be relevant for your particular issue so that might be a red herring.

I'm at a bit of a loss to be honest - I don't have any experience with KDE and this appears to be an issue with your KDE window manager displaying some GTK2 windows / elements.

I hope the touchpad sensitivity is an improvement. :roll: I'm sure KDE includes tools to adjust it if necessary.... :wink:
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

smurphos wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:03 am Based on some googling I think that error message is due to a setting KDE puts in by default in ~/.gtkrc-2.0. Do you have that file? However none of the search results seem to be relevant for your particular issue so that might be a red herring.
Yes I have the: .gtkrc-2.0 file, and actually I have it twice. The other one is called: .gtkrc-2.0-kde4.
Perhaps it's why I have this problem...?
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

I found what was causing the problem.
I simply changed my KDE theme to the default one and now it's back to normal.

Thank you very much for help Smurphos, without your input I could have not imagine the problem was coming from KDE.

Nevertheless, perhaps I'll have to contact you again because since I updated my Kernel to 4.4.0-141 my touchpad has weird behavior now...
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by Moem »

KIMW wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 1:35 pm I found what was causing the problem.
I simply changed my KDE theme to the default one and now it's back to normal.
That's good news! Now you get to mark the thread as solved! :D
Image

If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by KIMW »

smurphos wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:03 am I hope the touchpad sensitivity is an improvement. :roll:
Now I remember why I was not updating Kernels... Since I updated my Kernel to 4.4.0-141 now the cursor of my laptop moves around by itself (most of the time downwards) without me touching the touchpad. I had mentioned this problem years ago but could not fin a solution. Any idea what I can do Smurphos?
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Re: Windows of my Linux Mint system are NOT visible

Post by smurphos »

KIMW wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:52 pm
smurphos wrote: Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:03 am I hope the touchpad sensitivity is an improvement. :roll:
Now I remember why I was not updating Kernels... Since I updated my Kernel to 4.4.0-141 now the cursor of my laptop moves around by itself (most of the time downwards) without me touching the touchpad. I had mentioned this problem years ago but could not fin a solution. Any idea what I can do Smurphos?
1st thing I'd try is the current 4.15 kernel. If that is no good you can hold the left shift key as you reboot to access the GRUB menu. From there under Advanced Options to can pick your original kernel. Once logged in simply uninstall the later kernels via Update Manager > View > Linux Kernels.
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